e” (Lewis 392). Hughes also makes a comparison between Henry and the tinker: “compared to Henry Allen, the tinker is, indeed, an exciting and romantic figure” (Hughes 25). The conversation between the tinker and Elisa sets the rising action and the eventual climax of the story. During their conversation, the tinker repeatedly asks Elisa for something to mend, each time being turned away. ‘No,’ “she said shortly.” ‘I tell you I have nothing like that for you to do’ (Steinbeck 119). However, the tinker finally discovers Elisa’s soft spot and deliberately takes advantage of her. The tinker begins discussing Elisa’s chrysanthemums and how beautiful they are, this makes Elisa feel like she is valued (Lewis 393). He then tells her that he had done some work for a lady who had wanted some chrysanthemum seeds. “[The lady] said to [the tinker], ‘If you ever run across some nice chrysanthemums I wish you’d try to get me a few seeds’ (Steinbeck 119). Elisa is overjoyed by any outside interest in her flowers and tells the tinker that she will give him some sprouts to take to the lady. After going over directions for the care of the precious sprouts, she gives the tinker a “bid red flower pot” filled with the chrysanthemum sprouts (Steinbeck 120). Elisa in the meantime finds some pots for him to mend. As the tinker begins to leave Elisa reminds him for the final time to keep the soil damp for the sprouts, she hands him fifty cents, and bids him fair well. “As [Elisa] prepares for the evening, the power she usually puts into scrubbing the house is redirected into her preparation to make herself as attractive as she now feels” (Lewis 393). Finally Elisa and Henry are ready to go into town for dinner. The climax occurs as they drive closer into Salinas; Elisa notices a “dark spec” in the middle of the road, at th...
